Adele (and Audrey) are Marathon world record breakers
DJ sets new mark for fastest time ran with an ileostomy
SOUTHPORT’S Radio 1 DJ and cancer awareness champion Adele Roberts has set a new Guinness World Record at Sunday’s London Marathon.
Adele, who ran the challenging 26.2 mile race less then a year after getting the cancer all-clear, completed the course along with her stoma, who she calls ‘Audrey’.
Adele earned her accolade for running the fastest marathon with an ileostomy.
An ileostomy is a surgical operation in which a damaged part is removed from the ileum - a portion of the small intestine - is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall.
Adele said: “We did it Audrey!
“Thank you to every single person who has helped make today possible.
“We’ve just set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon with an ileostomy - less than 12 months since I stopped chemotherapy. “Anything is possible.
“For those warriors living with cancer, for all the incredible ostomates around the UK and for the heroes of the NHS. That was for you.
“And to the inspirational absolute unit of a man that is Richard Whitehead MBE.
“Thank you for all your advice today and helping me stay calm. We started together and we finished together.”
Adele, who bravely shared her battle against cancer last year, has been raising money for Nissan UK, championing diversity and inclusivity as part of the #PossibilitiesProject, and the Attitude Magazine Foundation, which supports LGBTQ+ causes ranging from children’s hospices to those living with HIV.
She has raised £9,000 so far, with people able to donate via her JustGiving page here.
Adele underwent surgery for bowel cancer just a year and a half ago.
The Radio 1 presenter and DJ, who grew up in Southport, was diagnosed with cancer at the start of October 2021 and soon underwent an operation to remove a tumour, but was determined to remain positive.
The former Big Brother star said at the time: “So far the outlook is positive and I feel so lucky I can be treated. It’s just the start of my journey but I’m going to give it everything.”
She used her huge following to share her journey fighting cancer, saying: “I’m hoping it’ll reach anyone who might benefit from seeing it or reading it.”
In October last year, Adele praised local children who featured her on their World Reimagined globe during a celebration of Black History Month.
The star travelled all the way from London to make a special visit to The Atkinson in Southport to take a look at the stunning artwork, which was created by pupils at Christ The King High School working in partnership with Southport Against Racism and Discrimination.
Other icons represented on the globe include Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Mo Salah and Chantelle Lunt.